Synthesis and degradation characteristics of salicylic acid-derived poly(anhydride-esters)

A biodegradable poly(anhydride-ester) was synthesized by melt condensation polymerization of the acetylated monomer to yield a novel polymeric prodrug. The polymer we have synthesized is composed of alkyl chains linked by ester bonds to aromatic moieties, specifically salicylic acid—the active component of aspirin. With the medicinal properties attributed to salicylic acid and the ease of metabolism, the incorporation of this compound into a polymer backbone yields a polymeric prodrug that may have potential in a variety of applications (i.e., inflammatory bowel disease). For these reasons, we have designed a synthetic scheme that yields the desired poly(anhydride-ester). The in vitro hydrolytic degradation of these polymers has been performed and results indicate that the polymer degradation rate is pH-dependent.